Truthfully, is it fair?

Here are two stories: the first is about truth and lies (and confabulation). The second is about the science of something called captivology.

Truth and Lies

In ICAEW Economia, Mike Straw, CEO of Achieve Breakthrough, argues that companies need to have a genuinely open culture about setbacks. Otherwise people will ‘edit the truth’ about how projects are faring which can have implications for financial reporting.

There’s something you may have heard about. It’s called Confabulation. It isn’t lying as such. Confabulation is distinguished from lying as there is no intent to deceive and the person is unaware the information is false. It happens when a person fills in gaps in their memory with fabrications that they, more or less, believe to be true facts.

When Max Reede in the 1997 film, Liar Liar tells his father, Fletcher (played by Jim Carrey), that his teacher told him that ‘beauty is on the inside’, he responds promptly and honestly (in his own view) that ‘this is just something ugly people say.’ Perhaps not an advisable approach for good parenting, but what if people in business always told the truth? Would this help the FD and the accountants auditing the books?

In the past year alone the truth – or lack of it – has been a key component in a number of business scandals. From Tesco allegedly falsifying profits to Apple who are being sued for misrepresenting the amount of storage on iPhones and iPads, the truth – or the bending of it – is a key issue in business today. Accounting scandals have become almost a regular feature of the news these days.

Captivology

From a book review from HarperCollins: Why are we captivated by sites like Facebook and Instagram, but couldn’t care less about MySpace? Why do some musicians grow as popular as Beyoncé, while others never make the charts? Why do some non-profits, such as Charity: Water, succeed in getting our donations, while other charities are ineffective? And why can’t anyone seem to ever get the attention of their kids?

In Captivology, Ben Parr, former editor of Mashable and cofounder of DominateFund, reveals how and why our mind pays attention to some events, ideas, or people and not others. Vividly bringing to life the stories of entrepreneurs, musicians, filmmakers, thought leaders, political strategists, magicians, and other masters of attention, Parr presents a new understanding of how attention works and identifies seven captivation triggers—techniques guaranteed to help you capture and retain the attention of friends, colleagues, customers, fans, and even strangers. These triggers spark our brain’s attention response systems by appealing to fundamental aspects of human nature.

Combining the latest scientific research with interviews of visionaries who have successfully brought attention to their ideas, projects, and companies (Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg, film director Steven Soderbergh, LinkedIn’s CEO Jeff Weiner, New York Times bestselling author Susan Cain, and more), Parr makes the case that you can rise above the noisy crowd and be heard—without having to shout.

Insightful and practical, Captivology will change how you tell your kids to clean their room, deliver your next presentation, convince the world to support your cause, or attract users to your product.

Round up

Here is my regular round-up of marketing and business promotion issues plus other interesting things over the past week. Each week, I include a section titled Technical Stuff – it provides a useful reminder of some of the stories that emerged in the last week that touch on technical issues. I hope that you find it useful.

Marketing and Business Promotion

Marketing ideas from Marketing Profs

More marketing ideas and tips have been published by Marketing Profs. Here they are:

Cash Flow Central: Free App

From Informita: this is a FREE Mobile App available on Windows, Apple, Android, Blackberry and Kindle. Informita have designed this app to give fast and efficient link to the latest news and developments on working capital, cash flow and procurement. You will have instant access to our latest twitter and Facebook feeds, Informita’s weekly blog and quarterly newsletter so that you can be up to date on the latest developments about working capital, cash flow and procurement. This brings the latest news on working capital and procurement directly to your fingertips.

How to Access Region-Restricted Websites From Anywhere on Earth

From the clever people at How to Geek: The Internet is supposed to be a global network that links the entire world, but many websites are confined to specific countries. Unsurprisingly, piracy is higher in countries where content isn’t legally available.

These are the ways people around the world are actually accessing that geo-blocked content today. If you live outside the US, this will get you a lot — and even US residents might want to access BBC iPlayer or a similar service sometimes.

Hola is one of the most popular ways to access geo-blocked websites, and there’s no sense in ignoring that. This is primarily because it’s free and easy-to-install. Hola, formerly known as “Hola Unblocker” and now known as “Hola Better Internet,” is available in a variety of forms. It offers browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, and these can be easily installed with a few clicks. After, just click the Hola icon on your browser’s toolbar and select a country. It’ll route your browsing activity through IP addresses in that country. This means you can access the US Netflix library from your current country, or the UK-based BBC iPlayer website from USA, for example.

In the Telegraph: In an exclusive interview: The Apple chief executive Tim Cook reveals to Allister Heath how the revolutionary features in the company’s smartwatch could forever alter our daily lives.

Like millions of people, Tim Cook stopped wearing a watch a while back. The Apple boss no longer needed one: his iPhone told the time just fine. There was just one problem, as he readily acknowledges in his interview with The Telegraph: glancing at one’s wrist can be a very useful way to find out information. It is less rude and less intrusive.

So Apple now wants to pull off something that no company has ever managed before: it wants to reverse a cultural trend that it had created itself. It wants us to start wearing a watch again.

The big event on 9 March will showcase the Apple Watch; and it will be launched to consumers in April. Cook, needless to say, is already wearing his new Apple Watch. He couldn’t even contemplate living without it anymore, he says.

“I’m now so used to getting all my notifications and all my messages,” he says. “It’s so incredible just to do this.”

Samsung unveils curved screen Galaxy S6 smartphone

In CITY A.M.: Samsung has unveiled two flagship Galaxy S6 smartphones in Barcelona marking the start of this year’s Mobile World Congress. The S6 and its curved screen sibling, the S6 Edge, are the South Korean conglomerate’s latest attempt to restore growth to its smartphone division, which has seen margins and profits erode in the face of competition.

The S6, which also comes in a curved glass S6 Edge version, boasts an even thinner body than its predecessor the S5, built-in wireless charging compatible with the charging pads being rolled out by McDonalds and Starbucks, and Samsung Pay, a mobile payments system launching in the US this summer to rival Apple Pay.

How to attract customers after a Google search engine penalty

Read on 123-Reg: By Will Stevens who asks – How much of your website traffic comes from Google? What would happen if that source of potential customers were to dry up overnight? Would your business be able to cope if your search engine rankings suddenly plummeted? Maybe they already have and you’re wondering where your next customer is going to come from.

If your site has been penalised by Google, or you’re worried that a penalty might be heading your way at some point in the future, it’s important that you start attracting visitors from sources other than organic search. If you’re unsure as to whether your site has been penalised by Google, then this guide will help you find out. It will also tell you how you can get on the road to recovery.

Unfortunately, recovering from a penalty can be a long process. So while you’re working on getting a penalty removed, here are five ways to attract traffic and potential customers. If you were attracting most of your customers through organic search before you were penalised, these alternative channels could be what you need to keep the sales coming in.

And remember, even if you haven’t been penalised, it’s never a good idea to be overly reliant on one source of traffic. Adopting these methods before something happens to your search rankings could save you a lot of trouble if your site does one day fall out of favour with Google.

3 Principles Of Storytelling You Can Learn From Kevin Spacey + House Of Cards

From NewsCred Blog, By Chase Neinken: It is no secret that storytelling has become the pinnacle practice of 2015. So what can content marketers learn from some of the best stories going right now?

Looking ahead to a new “House of Cards” release on Netflix, the author began to think about the parallels between content marketing and traditional media (in this case television). In Kevin Spacey’s keynote from Content Marketing World 2014, he told a half hour story about the importance of storytelling using his own career as a vehicle and the stories of the actors he’s played along the way as the gasoline. I distinctly remember this being one of the most #meta speeches the author has ever heard.

So what advice does Francis Underwood have to dish on storytelling? Spacey recommends that before you even begin, it’s important to ask yourself, “What story do you want to tell?” He suggests that everything will fall in line “if you start with what the result is going to be.”

“Ubuntu Linux Toolbox: A $29.99 Value, FREE For a Limited Time!”

FREE from Wiley: This book will prepare you with a host of updated tools for today’s environment, as well as expanded coverage so you can confidently start using Ubuntu today.

As a longstanding bestseller, Ubuntu Linux Toolbox has taught you how to get the most out Ubuntu, the world’s most popular Linux distribution. With this anticipated new edition, Christopher Negus returns with a host of new and expanded coverage on tools for managing file systems, ways to connect to networks, techniques for securing Ubuntu systems, and a look at the latest Long Term Support (LTS) release of Ubuntu, all aimed at getting you up and running with Ubuntu Linux quickly.

Mac OS X users like to make fun of Windows users as the only ones that have a malware problem. But that’s simply not true anymore, and the problem has increased dramatically in the last few months.

This article exposes the truth about what’s really going on, and hopefully warn people about the impending doom.

Since it is actually Unix under the hood, OS X has some native protection against the worst types of viruses. But the problem these days isn’t viruses that completely break your computer, it’s spyware, crapware, and adware that sneaks onto your computer, hijacks your browser, inserts ads, and tracks what you are looking at. And much of it is legal, because you get tricked into clicking the wrong thing during an installer.

Stored in software on your PC: When you (or your PC manufacturer) installs Windows, Windows stores its product key in the registry. You can extract this product key, and — often — enter it when reinstalling Windows on your PC. Crucially, you’ll need to grab it from your operating system before you begin reinstalling Windows or it could be deleted if you format your hard drive.

Printed on a sticker: Some PCs use a technology called “System Locked Pre-installation,” or SLP. If your PC uses this, the product key on your PC — the one stored in the registry, and the one key-viewer applications display — will be different from the actual key your PC needs. The actual key is on a certificate of authenticity (COA) sticker on your PC or its power supply. The one in the registry and key-viewer application is a red herring. This system was common for Windows 7 PCs.

Embedded in your PC’s UEFI firmware: Many newer PCs that come with Windows 8 use a new method. The key for the version of Windows the PC comes with is stored in the computer’s UEFI firmware or BIOS. You don’t even need to know it — assuming you’re installing the same edition of Windows the PC came with, it should automatically activate and work without you needing to enter a key. It’ll all happen automatically.

Be sure to use the same version and edition of Windows the computer came with. In other words, if it came with Windows 7 Home Premium, you can’t install Windows 7 Professional.

Get your cash flow back on track with a free SmartCompany eBook

From missing payments, juggling credit cards, loans, mortgages, telephone and internet bills, cash flow is the issue most likely to influence a business’s operations. Even the most successful of SMEs can struggle.

Future business growth hinges on your ability to resolve these issues – luckily there are some easy steps you can take.

The latest SmartCompany eBook, Payment systems made simple – how to get cash flowing in your SME, brings to light the difficulty that companies face in regulating their cash flow and offers up strategic tips for your peace of mind.

In this free eBook, brought to you in partnership with Ezidebit, you’ll learn about:

Work-Life Balance For Dummies eBook (a $21.99 value) FREE until 3/7!

From Wiley: Work-Life Balance for Dummies offers readers advice and simple strategies to achieve more balance whatever their situation.

A survey conducted by Universum Communication found that work-life balance is No.1 on the list of short-term career goals amongst professionals. But while work-life balance is an increasingly popular term, many of us are still unsure about how to achieve it, or lack the confidence to approach employers to negotiate flexible working hours.

Download the Essentials of IT Management Kit

From TradePub: Download this kit to learn everything you need to know about IT Management. The Essentials of IT Management Kit Edition brings together the latest in information, coverage of important developments, and expert commentary to help with your IT Management related decisions.

The Essentials of IT Management Kit Edition, brings together the latest in information, coverage of important developments, and expert commentary to help with your IT Management related decisions.

The following kit contents will help you get the most out of your IT Management research:

Executive Guide: Harnessing the Power of Enterprise Social Collaboration

3 easy ways to improve your efficiency

Found in Business Matters: Most people who we think are working hard are mismanaging their time.

When it comes to many of the people who we think are hardworking, we’re really just misinformed, says Inc. For instance, it is a common thought that people who work late are hardworking. Why? Because the assumption is that they have so much work to do that they must burn the midnight oil to get it done. Another example is when we see people who always seem like they are busy all the time. Again, they have taken on so much work that they must work all the time.

In truth, most of these “hard workers” are just inefficient. Look closely and you’ll see they use these methods to produce the same results as everybody else. And while it can be argued that these people are disciplined because of their work ethic, more of a focus should be put on productivity. And to produce more results, you don’t have to work longer, just smarter.

This article provides some easy ways to do this that most people don’t take advantage of. Start using these strategies today and watch your daily output increase significantly.

Technical Stuff:

Latest Briefings from AccountancyAgeInsight

The latest Briefings from AccountancyAgeInsight are listed below. Click on the hyperlinks for details for each item.

2014/15 Tax Planning for Non-UK Domiciled Individuals: After more than 200 years of development, the UK tax regime remains generous to those who are resident but not domiciled in the UK. With care and good planning, you can have tax-free access to your funds that might otherwise be taxed up to 45%. Download this guide to find out more. View summary Company: Buzzacott

Tax Newsletter February 2015: Welcome to the first Kreston Reeves Tax Newsletter, this month we bring our readers valuable tax year end planning tips, important news for homeowners in the UK and overseas and some particularly good news for property owners in France. View summary Company: Kreston Reeves

The Twilight World of Lawless VAT: CCH have identified a worrying trend – HMRC’s cavalier attitude to the letter of the law. Glyn Edwards, Senior VAT Consultant, reports on recent examples of how HMRC behaves as if the law only applies against taxpayers and can be disregarded when it suits the Department. View summary Company: CCH, A Wolters Kluwer Business

Associated companies – prior to 1 April 2015: The existence of associated companies means that the corporation tax limits of £1.5m and £300,000 are divided equally among associated companies. With the unification of corporation tax rates, this guidance note discusses the current associated companies’ rules which apply until April 2015. View summary Company: Tolley

UHY Financial Planning review – Spring 2015: The review is intended to give insights into the current financial landscape, highlighting topical and timely issues that could affect you, your business and your financial arrangements. View summary Company: UHY Hacker Young Group

Accountants for business: Reporting risk: This report examines how the quality and value of risk reporting can be improved. It reviews current practice in risk reporting, the barriers to better risk reporting, the wishes of users, and the concerns of preparers. View summary Company: ACCA

Year-end tax planner 2014-15: As the end of the financial year approaches, taxpayers should review their financial, business and tax arrangements. This Year End Tax-Planner provides useful planning suggestions. View summary Company: Saffery Champness

Back to Happiness ‐ The Life of a Business Owner: Haines Watts’ latest White Paper explores the experience of being a business owner in the UK. It looks at a range of factors, from Government initiatives to whether owner-managers are managing to find a better life-work balance. View summary Company: Haines Watts

Ending late payment, part 1: Taking stock: ACCA conducted a review of the widespread problem of late payment. Ending Late Payment, Part 1: Taking Stock combines an extensive literature review with quantitative data from ACCA’s member surveys to correctly define late payment, trace its precise origins and document its impact on the globally. View summary Company: ACCA

Recent IFRS standards and interpretations: This bulletin provides a high level overview of the most recently issued International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and interpretations, to ensure compliance with international financial reporting requirements. View summary Company: UHY Hacker Young Group

Weekly tax update – February 23rd 2015: This tax update reviews recent announcements from the HMRC, including that online registration of interest for marriage allowances is open for married couples and those in civil partnerships and employers will be able to avoid penalties for delays of up to three days when filing PAYE information. View summary Company: Smith and Williamson

Ending late payment, part 1: Taking stock: ACCA conducted a review of the widespread problem of late payment. Ending Late Payment, Part 1: Taking Stock combines an extensive literature review with quantitative data from ACCA’s member surveys to correctly define late payment, trace its precise origins and document its impact globally. View summary Company: ACCA

Research reveals Top 10 questions new SMEs have

From ICAEW: Thousands of people have started new businesses already this year. For anyone thinking of starting a new business, there are some questions you need to know the answer for before you get going.

Research by ICAEW’s Business Advice Service has found the most frequently asked questions that people starting new businesses want answered:

Accountants: Lots of letters for new financial reporting

From AccountingWEB: iXBRL, RTI, IFRS, AE and new UK GAAP: Download this FREE new whitepaper for ‘Acronyms: Explained’ + top tips for easing the compliance burden.

The new whitepaper from IRIS reviews developments in the compliance landscape. It also includes some tips for easing what otherwise threatens to be an escalating burden on busy corporate finance professionals.

Martin Pollins is a Chartered Accountant with wide experience in corporate finance and business management. He holds a number of directorships and has served on the boards of several companies, including those listed on the London Stock Exchange, AIM and OFEX.

He was a Council member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales from 1988 to 1996.

Martin Pollins ran his own firm based in Sussex and was the first Accountancy firm in the UK to advertise on television and Martin went on to create and launch the CharterGroup Partnership (the UK's first Accountancy network) and then LawGroup UK (one of the largest networks of lawyers in the country).

Martin started work on the Bizezia concept in 1996, developing the broad range of information resources and products over the past 18 years.